The sickened luna’s last chance

Ella & Alexander

Ella

I barely saw Alexander the next day. He had left the house before I woke up, giving me no chance to talk to him about what happened.

But I tried not to feel guilty about last night. After all, it wasn’t my fault that Alexander couldn’t take a joke. And even if it wasn’t a joke, why should I caret He had been cruel to me for years. One comment about him being aggravating was nothing compared to the five years of torment.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel a pang in my chest every time I thought about it.

“You’re frowning again,” Lilith pointed out as we shared tea around eleven o’clock. “What’s on your mind, dear?”

“Nothing important.”

Lilith tilted her head. “Is this about you and Alexander? I heard he slept in his study last night.”

“The staff gossips too much,” I muttered. “But yes, he did. He got pissed at me over a silly game at dinner. Not that I particularly minded having the bed to myself without him sulking in it, but…”

My voice trailed off, and Lilith sighed. “Well, that won’t help with the rumors. Half the pack still thinks your marriage is just for show. And there’s talk that you’re both having affairs.”

I sighed, rubbing my hands over my face. I couldn’t blame them for thinking that way. Even if we played our parts perfectly in public, the masks always came off the moment we came home. The staff noticed, and if they gossiped to the rest of the pack, then everyone would believe them.

“What you two need,” Lilith added, “is another public date.”

“We go out together all the time now.”

“You accompany him during his Alpha duties. You need a date,” she clarified. “A real date–or at least, real in the eyes of the public. You want him to do well in the election, don’t you?”

I nodded, thinking back to the contract. Alexander never said he would pull out of it if he didn’t win the election, but I didn’t know him well enough to know that for certain. I often laid awake at night, fearing what might happen if he didn’t follow through at the end of the nine months.

With only three months to live after that… What would I do then?

No, I needed to ensure he did as well as possible during the election. Even if he lost, I had to ensure it was by no fault of mine. Only then could I be certain that he would divorce me and reject me like he said.

Which meant that we had to keep up appearances, especially with all these rumors floating around. And if I was being completely honest with myself, the thought of another “date” with Alexander did make my heart flutter a little.

“What would you want to do?” Lilith asked, pulling me from my thoughts. “If you could go on any date with him?”

I’d never been on a real date before. My father had kept me sheltered in high

I guess. A movie, maybe?” I bit my lip, feeling suddenly shy. “I’ve always wanted to… you know… hold hands in

softened. “That’s not stupid at all, sweetheart.

want something so innocent, but I had missed out on so many normal milestones. First kiss

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Chapter 32

do it,” Lilith said firmly. “Buy the tickets. Take him to a

think he’d agree

good for his campaign, won’t

purchased two tickets to a horror movie showing that evening at the focal theater. Horror wasn’t exactly my first choice, but it was the only thing playing that seemed like

a simple blue dress that I’d been told brought out my eyes. I curled my hair, applied a

was pathetic. Somehow, this felt worse than when I had

affection.

little while later, I found Alexander outside the post office in town, deep in conversation with Gabriel. When Alexander spotted

for a formal pack event. And I certainly never went anywhere dressed like this specifically to see

straightening a little as I approached. “What are

out the movie tickets, hating the way my hand trembled slightly. “I thought we

Alexander

movie tickets in Ella’s outstretched hand. A horror film. Tonight.

her in a dark theater for two hours felt too close for comfort. Especially when she looked like…

she wore hugged her curves in a way that made my wolf turn restless. Her hair fell in soft curls around her face, and the scent of cherry blossoms and vanilla seemed stronger than usual, making my nostrils

had clearly put effort into her

this was

of me. aggravated her.

wouldn’t feel the same way. Therefore, I wouldn’t be

tickets. “We should go now

coincidence! I was planning

Ella frowned. “You were?”

favorite.” Gabriel turned to me with a look in his eyes that I knew all too well. “You

had no intention of seeing the movie before. He

real couple.” Ella pursed her lips and looked at me as if expecting me to deny him,

Chapter 32

mind,”